Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

A period of thirty minutes was allocated for any members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions about the work or performance of the Council or Council services.

The meeting was attended by members of the public regarding the item of business relating to the Councils use of Glyphosate Herbicides. The Chair stated that he would allow questions to be asked at the point in agenda when the item was considered and invited questions on any other matters.

No questions were asked.

The Chair agreed that the agenda would be re-arranged and the Glyphosate item would be considered first.

Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th April 2019 are attached.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th April 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report setting out details of:

·        the revenue outturn figures in respect of the last financial year (2018/2019) detailing the proposed application of the carry forward rules;

·        major variances between the revised estimate and the outturn;

·        the level of school balances;

·        HRA outturn for the year;

·        The minimum level of balances in the light of risk assessments.

Delegated decisions:

Cabinet agreed;

a)   The final revenue outturn and HRA outturn for 2018/19 be noted along with explanations for major variances;

b)   Overspendings in the departments of Children and Young People, Communities and Wellbeing, Business Growth and Infrastructure, Operations, Resources and Regulation and Art Gallery and Museums are not to be carried forward

c)   The level of the General Fund balances be noted;

d)   The minimum level of the General Fund balance calculated at £4.250m for 2019/20 is subject to regular review as part of the budget monitoring process.

Reason for the decision:

The figures in the report are consistent with the figures included within the Statement of Accounts which were approved by the Responsible Finance Officer on 31 May and will be presented to Audit Committee on 30 July, 2019. The figures in this report are presented in a format consistent with the Revenue Budget approved by Council on 21 February 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report setting out details of:

• The capital outturn figures in respect of the last financial year 2018/19;
• Major variances between the Revised Estimate and the Outturn;
• The financing of the Capital Programme in 2018/19;
• Slippage of funding into 2019/20 

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agreed to:

a) Note the final capital outturn for 2018/2019, and explanations for major variances

b) Note the financing of the Capital Programme in 2018/19

c) Consider and approve the slippage requests and associated funding into 2019/2020

Reason for the decision:

Capital expenditure has been incurred in accordance with the agreed Capital Programme. This links the expenditure with the objectives of the Council and the Capital Strategy.  The Programme has been financed in a way that optimises to the maximum the resources available, including the prudent use of capital receipts. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing presented a report providing information in respect of the Treasury Management Activities in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management.  The Code requires that the Council receives an annual strategy report by 31 March for the year ahead and an annual review report of the previous year by 30 September. The report provides a review of Treasury Management activities during 2018/19.

Recommendation to Council:

In accordance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management, the

Cabinet agrees to note the report.  The report will be forwarded on for consideration at the next meeting of Full Council scheduled to take place on the 10^th July 2019.

Reason for the decision:

This report provides information on the Council’s debt, borrowing, and investment activity for the financial year ending on 31^st March 2019 in conformity with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.  The successful management of the Council’s borrowing and investments is central to the Council’s financial strategy, both in the short term and in ensuring a balanced debt profile over the next 25 to 60 years. 

The overall strategy for 2019/20 was to finance capital expenditure by running down cash/investment balances and using shorter term borrowing rather than more expensive long term loans. The taking out of longer term loans (1 to 10 years) to finance capital spending would only then be considered if required by the Council’s underlying cash flow needs.

Debt decreased slightly during the year, £202,584 million at 31^st March 2019 compared to £194,510 million at 31^st March 2018. The average borrowing rate dropped slightly from 3.96% to 3.95%. Investments at 31 March 2019 stood at £14,760 million, compared to £21,250 million the previous year, the decrease being due to the use of cash/investment balances to repay maturing debt. The average rate of return on investments was 0.66% in 2018/19 compared to 0.24% in 2017/18.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment will report at the meeting.  Report attached.

The Leader submitted a report updating Members on the Council’s use of glyphosates herbicide for weed control and concerns raised by residents.  The report provided details of a review that will be undertaken into the latest evidence of the impact of glyphosate and the effectiveness and cost of the alternatives.

An immediate moratorium on the use of glyphosate herbicide in play areas and parks is in place while the review is carried out.

The Chair invited those members of the public present to ask questions:

Rachel Getliffe addressed the meeting, she began by thanking the Council for the work and the engagement already undertaken with her and others in relation to this issue.  She provided details of a community survey that she had undertaken of 81 people that highlighted support for a glyphosate ban, the introduction of areas for re-wilding and a commitment by 64% of those that had participated to undertake to help with community weeding projects.  The survey will be extended to include an online survey.  Members of the public present discussed the health risks associated with glyphosates, other Councils approach to this issue, the European Union Directive, risks of litigation, the use of alternatives, a ban in public spaces/residential areas.

Responding to the issues raised the Leader reported that the Council should take a balanced and proportionate approach to the use of herbicides, taking account of the latest scientific research on health, environmental and biodiversity impacts.

Delegated Decision:

Cabinet agrees to undertake a review of the latest evidence of the impact of glyphosate and the effectiveness and cost of the alternatives and a further report to be submitted to Cabinet by the end of September 2019.  This will include a pesticide and herbicide reduction strategy.

Reason for Decision:

The Council recognises the importance of biodiversity and protecting ecosystems from environmental harm. Irrespective of the health issues, the Council is seeking ways to carry out its operations in more environmentally friendly ways.

Over the next 3 months the Council will carry out a review of the latest research on the impact of using glyphosate on health the environment and biodiversity.  The effectiveness and cost of alternates will be considered.  The alternatives to glyphosate include:

·         Manual weeding;

·         Thermal systems (hot foam, steam or flame); and

·         Natural products (pelargonic or acetic acid).

To consider the minutes of meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29^th March 2019.

For information only.

A report from the Leader of the Council is attached.

For information only.